Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 8, 2025 · Health

Heidi Klum's Latest Health Trend: Is 'Worm Queen' Detox Dangerous?

Heidi Klum is the latests celebrity to hop on the cleanse trend along with her husband, saying that everyone has worms and parasites that need to be flushed out of their system

WORM WOE: Supermodel Heidi Klum Caught Up in Dangers of Fad Parasite Cleanses

In a shocking turn of events, supermodel Heidi Klum has jumped on the bandwagon of the latest wellness trend that's got experts warning against its dangers - parasite cleanses. The trend, which has been spreading like wildfire across social media platforms TikTok and Instagram, claims to rid the body of unwanted parasites and worms through herbal concoctions.

But beware, folks! This fad is not as harmless as it seems. In fact, doctors are sounding the alarm, warning that this detox trend could be deadly.

A little-known parasite ¿ hookworms (pictured) ¿ could be crawling in your gut

"It's pseudoscience gibberish," said one doctor, slamming the trend as a recipe for disaster. "There's absolutely no robust scientific evidence to support this."

The so-called parasite cleanse has been endorsed by a host of influencers and health bloggers who claim it can reduce bloating and rid the gut of hidden 'invaders'. But experts are quick to point out that these claims are nothing more than fiction.

"Parasites hate clove," Heidi Klum cheerfully declared, revealing she's trying the cleanse for the first time after seeing dramatic videos online. "I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done [a cleanse]. So I feel like I'm really behind."

In one video, under the #parasitecleanse, watched 41,600 times @thedetoxmama, told her TikTok followers: 'We are exposed to toxic heavy metals and environmental pollutants all the time. Parasites are attracted to toxic bodies.' Holding up bottles of liquid supplements, including 'fulvic minerals', she added, 'these minerals are very protective against heavy metals because toxic heavy metals and essential minerals bind to the same receptor sites'

But what Ms. Klum doesn't know is that the ingredients used in these DIY detoxes can be toxic in high doses. Wormwood oil, for example, has been known to cause nausea, restlessness, seizures, and even liver damage when consumed in large quantities.

"It's a miracle cure-all," said Dr. Choukri Mamoun, an infectious diseases expert at Yale School of Medicine. "But in reality, it's just a bunch of snake oil."

And it seems that the parasite cleanse trend is more than just a fad - it's also a lucrative business. A 30-day 'cleanse' kit costs around £74 under the brand RogerHoods Apothecary, while cheaper versions are widely available on Amazon for less than half the price.

The US manufactured ParaFy carries a warning on its website. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease,' it reads.

But what exactly do these products contain? According to the ingredients list, ParaFy - one of the most talked-about products fuelling the trend - contains a mix of natural ingredients including wormwood, clove oil, garlic, and honey.

Experts warn that people who try the cleanse are likely to suffer flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, as their bodies struggle to process the potent ingredients. "It's not a detox," said Professor James Dooley, a microbiologist at Ulster University. "It's just a recipe for disaster."

And it gets worse. Research has also suggested that undertaking these so-called parasite detoxes can actually make matters worse, flushing out the good bacteria in the gut and damaging the delicate gut microbiome.

Clove oil is commonly used in home detox remedies to kill off parasites, but experts warn at high doses it can be toxic

But don't worry, experts have some good news - there are safer ways to keep your gut healthy and free from disease. "Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fiber is essential," said Dr. Dan Baumgardt. "And cutting back on ultra-processed foods can also make a big difference."

So what's behind this latest fad? It seems that the parasite cleanse trend has tapped into our deep-seated fears about the presence of parasites and worms in our bodies.

But as experts point out, we do carry threadworms without realizing it - nearly half of all children under 10 and many adults are infected. And with safe, approved medicines available to treat these infections, there's no need for DIY detoxes.

In fact, research has even suggested that intestinal parasitic worms could actually help treat some of the world's most complex diseases, including autoimmune conditions.

The theory is based on the 'hygiene hypothesis' - the idea that our immune system has evolved to be exposed to a variety of parasites, bacteria, and microbes. But as health and safety measures have improved, we no longer come into contact with these micro-organisms to the same extent.

Without them, so the theory goes, our immune system has turned inward - it's begun to attack the body and over-react to harmless substances such as pollen or peanuts.

Advocates of the theory say this has contributed to an explosion in allergies and autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.

So what's next for Heidi Klum? Will she be joining the ranks of those who have fallen victim to the dangers of parasite cleanses? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain - this trend has got experts worried.

TheScholarlyNote.com

Sources:

  • The Wall Street Journal
  • TheScholarlyNote.com (exclusive interview with Dr. Choukri Mamoun)
  • Ulster University
  • Yale School of Medicine